Young’s Breakout Season Gains Momentum With Upset of Rams

The Carolina Panthers entered Week 13 facing long odds, short-handed personnel, and an opponent that appeared poised to overwhelm them. Instead, they walked away with one of their most defining wins of the season — a victory shaped largely by the recent surge of third-year quarterback Bryce Young. Though his overall numbers may not match the league’s top passers, Young is authoring the most complete stretch of his young career.

Young arrived in Los Angeles labeled a sizable underdog, with Carolina missing key contributors across the roster. Yet the former No. 1 pick steered the Panthers with poise, accuracy, and an efficiency that has become increasingly common in recent weeks. His performance against the Rams added another layer to a season that is rapidly shifting perceptions surrounding his long-term trajectory.

The Panthers’ 7–6 record keeps them squarely in contention in a surprisingly tight NFC South race. With Tampa Bay holding a narrow edge, Carolina’s resurgence behind Young has injected new energy into a division that remains up for grabs. More important, it has provided the Panthers with a sense of stability at a position that once felt uncertain.

For a player once labeled a disappointment, Young’s transformation has become one of the league’s quietly compelling storylines. As Carolina continues to exceed expectations, the quarterback who endured two difficult seasons is beginning to look like the leader the franchise hoped he would become.

1. Young’s Efficiency Surges at Midseason

Young delivered one of the cleanest games of his career on Sunday, completing 15 of 20 passes for 206 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. The outing pushed his season total to 18 touchdown passes — already eclipsing his previous career high — and showcased the precision that has carried him through the last month. This year marks the first time Young has consistently strung together efficient performances. After surpassing 200 passing yards only once in his first nine games, he has now cleared that mark twice in the last three weeks, including a stunning 443-yard explosion against Atlanta in Week 11. These improvements place him on pace to surpass his rookie-year high of 2,877 passing yards. Just as importantly, his decision-making and confidence in the pocket have elevated a Panthers offense that struggled to find rhythm in recent seasons. The growth has come amid adversity. Injuries across the roster and a rotating supporting cast have made continuity difficult, yet Young’s progress has remained steady — a sign that his development is taking hold.

2. Upsetting the NFC Leaders

The Panthers entered the matchup as double-digit underdogs to an experienced, well-balanced Rams team atop the NFC standings. Compounding the challenge were absences on both sides of the ball, including two offensive linemen and standout corner Jaycee Horn. Despite those setbacks, Carolina controlled critical stretches of the game. Young’s efficiency on early downs helped limit long-yardage situations, while the Panthers leaned on timely execution in the red zone to capitalize on scoring opportunities. The Rams, conversely, faltered in moments that have typically been their strength. Their offense, usually sharp behind Matthew Stafford, struggled to find rhythm as Carolina applied steady pressure and capitalized on mistakes. The result was one of the most surprising outcomes of the weekend — a tight, well-managed win that reinforced Carolina’s resilience and highlighted the gap between expectations and on-field results.

3. Stafford’s Rare Off Day Helps Panthers Capitalize

Young’s standout performance was complemented by an unusual set of miscues from Stafford, one of the league’s most dependable veteran quarterbacks. Stafford entered the game riding an eight-game streak without an interception, but Carolina disrupted that rhythm with three takeaways. The Panthers’ depleted secondary played a pivotal role, tightening coverage and forcing Stafford into throws he typically avoids. Those turnovers shifted momentum, repeatedly creating short fields that boosted Carolina’s offense. While Young played with efficiency and patience, Stafford appeared uncharacteristically loose with the ball — a stark contrast that ultimately shaped the outcome. His turnovers marked one of his most error-prone outings of the season. For Carolina, forcing mistakes against a quarterback of Stafford’s caliber underscored the team’s competitive evolution. Even short-handed, the defense delivered key moments that allowed Young and the offense to maintain control in a narrow victory.